RTS/Richard Kendal
Sky News was named News Channel of the Year for the eighth consecutive year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards – while Sophy Ridge picked up the Presenter of the Year.
Judges said Sky was ‘hard to beat’ in the News Channel category, giving praise for its clear analysis, and eyewitness reporting from around the world.
Sophy Ridge, Sky’s Lead Politics Presenter; host of The Politics Hub and 2024’s UK election coverage, was named Network Presenter of the Year. Judges said Ridge has a ‘disarming toughness with huge likeability’.
Sky News winners:
News Channel of the Year
Judges said: “The winner stood out for its excellent journalism, high production values, and clear analysis. It had strong eye-witness coverage from around the world, and also produced highly watchable reporting on many UK stories. One juror said that, in this category, they are ‘hard to beat’.”
David Rhodes, Sky News Group Executive Chairman, said: “The Sky News breaking news channel, that has been running more than 35 years, had record viewership in 2025 and it's an honour to be named News Channel of the Year for the eighth time. Our teams have worked tirelessly to cover events from conflict zones in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan - to seismic elections in the UK and US. We look forward to continuing to bring audiences the full story, first.”
Accepting the award Jonathan Levy, Sky News Executive Editor and Managing Director, paid tribute to camera operator, Martin Limbrick.
Levy said: “Thank you for this — we never take winning this award for granted……
“The news-channel field is a narrow but highly competitive one, and we value all our rivals and the way their innovations compel us to think constantly about how we stay ahead of the pack.
“The recognition of this award is particularly encouraging in such a big news year — a general election and a summer of discontent here at home, the re-election of Donald Trump and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East abroad.
“And Sudan. As news organisations we choose where, and where not, to point our cameras. And last year at Sky News we chose to point them often at that devastating conflict in Sudan . It’s heartening to see that journalism - and that story - get some recognition here tonight, via this award.
“I would like to thank the famously tireless Sky News team, who literally never stop.
“It is invidious to name individuals, but I do need to mention one.
“Sky News cameraman Martin Limbrick who died suddenly last Friday night.
“Most of you won’t have known Martin, but you’ll certainly know people like him and work with them every day.
“The backbone of organisations like Sky News - those who provide the pictures without which there’d be no television journalism.
“Martin first shot pictures for Sky News 30 years ago and was still shooting them a couple of days before he died. He was part of a lot of the journalism that contributed to this award — and i am dedicating it to him.
“Martin, this is for you - thank you.”
Network Presenter of the Year – Sophy Ridge, Lead Politics Presenter
Judges said: “In a very strong field, this presenter stood out...combining disarming toughness with huge likeability. Moving effortlessly from politics to breaking news, she's in control, genuinely insightful and never domineering.”
On Sophy Ridge's award win, David Rhodes added: “Lead Politics Presenter Sophy brings warmth and passion to our political coverage, engaging audiences with her authenticity. We are proud of her well-deserved recognition.”
RTS/Richard Kendal
For further information, please contact:
Sian Parry, Head of Communications, Sky News – sian.parry@sky.uk
